Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-13

| saw no difference bu; il was best to be YER
bally correct
On resuming, Gladstone protested against
Balfour's statement that he expected only
hostility from the opposition. Whenever
anything beneficial to Ireland was proposed,
the opposition hailed it with pleasure and did
everything possible to further it, despite the
unwise policy of coercion, calculated TO de-
stroy social order. The opposition had en-
Joined upon the Irish strict obedience to the
law, and their advice was more effective in
procuring obedience than all the govern
ment's coercion ond constabulary had man.
aged, ms az Mitchellstown. Balfour had met
Hsrcourt's speech with simple tuquoke, which
was usually the resort of persens in difficult
position. but which, legally, meant nothing.
What signifed it for the purpose in view if
the late government did the same thi g? He
was not prepared to admit that, but if they
did there was no excuse for the government,
on being charged with infringing the law, to
say those who make the charges are culpable.
Balfour had enunciated thst all liberal meet.
ings might be suppressed on the grounds that
| they were called for improper purposes.
| The government had not even attempted
to show thar they had acted in conformity
with the highest legal authority. In regard
to the Mitchellstown affair, which moved the
narrowed feelings of the country, Balfour's
| conduct seemed marked by a singular rash
| ness and impudence. 1t was competent for
him, under such grave circumstances, to de-
cline to enter into discussion until an equal
| ly grave enquiry had been held. But instead
he rushed headlong to the conclusion that all
the police acted right and if they had done
otherwise would have been guilty of great
| neglect of duty.
| As long as Balfour remained IN his present
,,.rbt 81, - thaf has
course would be pursued. Balfour had done
all in his power to bias the case. Balfour's
assertions were right in the teeth of the facts.
From the fact that the government failed to
| bring reporter, as was their duty to the
Mitchellst0wn meeting, in way most conve-
nient to all, he could only suppose two ex
plantations.
| First-An intention to promote disorder,
Parnellite cheers which he did not enter
| tain.
Second-Thst the authorities exhibited
degree of stupidity and negligence rarely
seen. The responsibility rested with those
who committed the first error-it was a gross
and dangerous error for body of police to
force their way through dense crowd. The
victims were two old men and a boy.
Gladstone hoped to hear before that this
sad and grievous affair which created sent-
ment of horror and disgust throughout the
kingdom had not been kept in the dark but
probed TO the bottom. He wished he could
see either frmness or Cancellation on the part
of the government. He was convinced that
the people of England would not follow the
governments course which lead to nothing
but distress and disaster. Cheers
Parnell moved to adjourn the debate. De-
feated, 22S to 81.
The attorney general reproached Gladstone
who, while protesting to reserve his Judge
ment, had concluded the police were murder
ers
Dillon who had just arrived from Dublin
gave his account of the trouble at Mitchells-
town. He blamed the government for de-
parting from the usual custom of asking
accommodation for reporter. He said the
first threat of disturbance was quelled by
two gentlemen on the platform driving their
own men back from the police by striking
them with umbrellas; but the police rein
forced made their way by bringing batons to
bear on the horses and using the muzzles of
rifles. Dillon concluded the shots were fred
in revenge for blows and from sheer panic.
The meetings would continue in spite of the
governments proclamation, but he should al
ways advise the people to abstain from vo-
lence
Churchill said he would bring vividly
OeIore tne country tne nature OF the sUoggie
the government had in Ireland, their Difficult.
ties, resources, and their opponents.
He contended that the meeting at Mitch
ellstown was intended to embarrass the court
! of law-therefore illegal. The governments
safety depended on the triumph of the law.
Bradlsugh continued the debate and CHAR
acterized the doctrines of Bslfour and
Churchill as to the rights of the government
and individuals as monstrosities.
Mr.. Brunner having spoken, the speaker
left the chair and the house went into COM
mittee.
LONDON, Sept. 10.
| The House adjourned at s. 10 A. M.